Motor operated key identifier



Aug. 3, 1943. B. COOPER 2,325,744

MOTOR OPERATED KEY IDENTIFIER Filed April 8, 1940 3 SheetsfSheet 1 "W MW l n 96 I NVE NTOR -1 z 6 k-Berqamm Cooper:

EIHNEY Aug. 3, 1943. COOPER 2,325,744

MOTOR OPERATED KEY IDENTIFIER Filed April 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIIIIII INVENTOR Ben amin Cooper.

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DHNEY Aug. 3, 1943. B. COOPER MOTOR OPERATED KEY IDENTIFIER Filed April 8, 1940 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Illlllllllllll I BENJAMIN COOPER ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTOR. OPERATED KEY IDENTIFIER Bendamin Cooper, Jersey City, N. J. Application April 8, 1940, Serial No. 328,534.

16 Claims.

This invention relates to motor operated key identifier. It is particularly directed to an identifier for use in registers, watchman systems, toll checking apparatus, and for the like purposes, and having a pulser actuated by a key to actuate printing counters, whereby a number may be printed corresponding to the shape of the key.

An object of this invention is to provide an identifier of the character described having highly improved means to print an identification of the key by means of a printing counter, when the key is inserted into the identifier and to again print zero on said counter when the key is withdrawn from the identifier.

A further object of this invention is to provide an identifier of the character described, operated by a key inserted into the identifier, the key having one or more shoulders and the positioning of the key in the identifier initiating movement of one or more segmental pulsers from an initial position into engagement with the shoulders of the key, so that said shoulders determine the extent of angular movement of the segmental pulsers, whereby the numberof pulses on each pulser is proportionate to the extent of angular movement thereof, and hence depends upon the shape of the key.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an identifier of the character described, comprising pulsers and a motor to operate the pulsers, the operation of the motor .being dependent upon the insertion of a key into the identifier, and the number of pulses caused by the pulsers depending upon the shape of the key inserted into the identifier, means being further provided to automatically stop the operation of the motor after the pulsers have pulsed and re- 1 turned to their initial position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in an identifier of the character described, pulser sectors, and pulsing contacts adapted to be actuated by the sectors, the angular extent of rotation of the pulsers being limited by a key positioned within the identifier, and means to automatically withdraw the contacts from the influence of the sectors after the pulsing operation is completed, and to permit the pulsing sectors to return to initial position.

Yeta further object of this invention is to providea strong, rugged and compact identifier of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, comprised of comparatively few and simple parts,- which shall be smooth and positive in operation, and yet practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified'in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application Will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a rear elevational view of an identifier embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the friction drive between the motor and the train of earing;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an identification key;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram of the circuit controlling the identifier, the motor for operating the same, the electro-magnetic counters operated by the pulsers and the printer.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, l0 designates an identifier embodying the invention. The same comprises a front plate ll formed with a circular opening l2, formed with a downwardly extending key-way Ma, and adapted to receive an identification key Hi, to be described in detail hereinafter. Fixed to the rear surface of the wall H, as by screws I4, are parallel horizontal studs I5 to which are fixed a pair of parallel rearwardly extending plates l6 and I1 interconnected at the rear by a pair of parallel studs l9.

Attached to the rear of plate II and extending rearwardly therefrom, is a tubular member 2|. Tubular membenfl has a bore 22 adjacent the wall ll of greater diameter than opening l2 and co-axial therewith. Rearwardly of the bore 22, tubular member 2| is formed with a bore 25 of substantially the same diameter as the opening view taken on line l2. Fixed to the inside of tube 2|, within bore 1 25, is a pin a aligned with the key slot |2a and a portion of reduced outer diameter at its rear end, said portion 30 being formed with a slot 3| disposed in a plane parallel to the front wall II and substantially 90 degrees in extent, the same extending from the bottom of the tube to a horizontal plane passing through the axis of the tube. 'The forward end of tubular member 2| is formed with a shallow notch 2|a, and fixed to said end, is a stop member 2|b partially received within said notch and projecting radially inwardly.

Journalled within bore 22 of tubular member 2|, is an annular ratchet ring 34 having a central opening 35 similar in diameter to the opening 12 in the front wall I l, and likewise formed with a key slot extension 350'. adapted to register with the key slot |2a in said front wall I. Said ring 34 is formed with a shallow depressed surface 35 having end shoulders 35a and 36b. The stop 2 lb projects into the depression 36 to limit angular movement of the ring 34. Thus, when the ring 34 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 6, stop 2|b will contact shoulder 36b to limit angular movement of the ring to 90 degrees, bringing the key slot 35a from the bottom to a position where it is horizontally aligned with the axis of said ring.

The outer periphery of thering 34 is formed with a curved notch 38 spaced 90 degrees from the key slot 35a, going in a counter-clockwise direction from said key slot. Said ring 34 is also formed with ratchet teeth 39 at its periphery extending through an angle of somewhat more than 90 degrees in a clockwise direction from the key slot 35a.

The ring 33 is furthermore formed on the rear face thereof with a cut-away or groove 40 forming a thinned portion 4| carrying a pivot pin 42, on which is pivoted a pawl 33. Interposed between the pawl 33 and the bottom of the groove 40, is a spring which normally projects the lower end of the pawl outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the ring 34, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Rotatably mounted on the portion 30 of the fixed tubular member 2| is a sleeve 48 to which is fixed an inwardly projecting radial pin 49 extending within slot 3| of said tubular member. Slidably mounted within the opening 28 and tubular member 2|, is a pin 50 of insulating material formed with a collar 5| adapted to be received within the counter-sunk opening 29. The lower end of pin 50 projects within the 'bore 25 when the collar 5| is in the counter-sunk opening 29, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Fixed to the rear of wall H is a bracket 52 carrying three spring fingers 53, 54 and 55, insulated from one another. The middle spring finger 54 is normally in contact with the finger 55 and out of engagement with the finger 53. When the pin 50 is lifted upon insertion of a key through the opening l2 and through the button 58 on arm 51.

34 is rotated through an angle of degrees,

. and one representing tens.

tubular member 2|, as will appear hereinafter, the pin 50 will be raised to move the spring finger 54 out of engagement with respect to spring finger 55 and into engagement with spring finger 53.

Pivoted to the rear surface of plate ||,as at 55, is an arm 51 carrying at its outer end an insulating button 58. Arm 51 traverses the slot 26. Within said slot is a roller 59 contacting the outer periphery of ring 34. On arm 51 is a projection 60 contacting the roller 59. When the ring 34 is rotated by the key l3 in the manner hereinafter explained, the roller 59 will drop into the notch 38 when the ring is rotated through an angle of 90 degrees. Fixed to the bracket 52 are a pair of spring contacts 64 and 55 normally held out of contact with one another by the However, when the ring and arm 51 drops, said spring fingers. come into contact with one another.

The key I3 will now be described: 4

Said key has a flat diametric handle |3c. at its rear end and is formed at its forward end with a substantially cylindrical portion |3b of somewhat reduced diameter. At one end of the cy drical portion |3b is an annular shoulder |3c. The cylindricalportion I3!) is formed with 9. iongitudinal slot |3d. Mediately the ends of cylindrical portion |3b is a peripheral slot |3e communicating with the groove or slot |3d and extending to an angle of substantially 90 degrees. The outer end of the key |3 has two semi-circular shoulders l3) and |3g forming a flat surface |3h through the axis of the key. The groove |3d is in alignment with the lower edge ofthe fiattened handle |3a and opens into one of the shoulders I351. The fiat surface |3h is perpendicular to the flattened handle |3a. Fixed to the key i3 is a radially outwardly projecting pin I37 in'alignment with the groove |3d, and disposed rearwardly of the shoulder |3c.

As will be seen hereinafter, the key l3 will be identified by two numbers, one representing units The linear positions of the shoulders I3 and |3g with respect to the axis of the key determines the identification of the key as these shoulders control a pair of pulsers which send pulses to a pair of electro-magnets M and MI, as will appear hereinafter.

The key is inserted into the opening I2 01 the identifier with the handle |3a in vertical position, as shown in dot, dash lines in Fig. 3. The pin |37 thus passes through the key slot |2a into the key slot 35a of the ring as. The pin 25a also passes into the groove |3d of the key. As the key is inserted, the pin 59 is lifted to move spring finger 54 out of engagement with spring contact 55 and into engagement with spring finger 53. The pin 49 on sleeve 48 is also received within the groove |3d of the key. When the key is fully inserted the pin 25a is aligned with the peripheral slot |3e of the key. The key is then turned in a counter-clockwise direction looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings, causing the ring 34 and the sleeve 48 to be rotated through an angle of-90 degrees. When the ring 34 has rotated through an angle of 90 degrees, stop 2|b contacts shoulder 36b and roller 59' drops into notch 38 to permit arm 51 to drop to open the switch fingers 64 and 65.

It will be noted that when the key is inserted the surface I3? is in a horizontal position, but when it is rotated through an angle of 90 degrees,

said surface is in a vertical position, so that the two Shoulders l3! and llg are side by side and one in a different plane from the other.

Means is provided to prevent the key from being turned back after it has been rotated through 5 an angle of 90 degrees until a print is made of the identification of the key in a manner to be described hereinafter. To this end, there is pivoted on a pin on the rear surface of plate II,

a lever 1| having arms 12 and 18. Arm 12 has 10 a pointed portion contacting the periphery of ring 34 and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth 39. Arm 12 is held in engagement with the ring 34 by a coil tension spring 14 anchored at one end of the plate I I, as at 15, and attached 15 at its other end to said arm: The teeth 39 are so shaped as to permit rotation of the ring 34 in a counter-clockwise direction only, when arm 12 is in engagement therewith.

Means is provided to cause two independent sets of pulses to actuate two electro-magnets, M and MI, dependent upon the positions of the shoulders I3 and I39! of the key l3. To thisend, there is journalled in the parallel plates 16 and I1, a transverse horizontal shaft 11, parallel to plate N. Independently rotatably mounted on said shaft are a pair of sectors 18 and 19, one disposed in alignment with the shoulder I39, and the other in alignment with the shoulder l3 of the key I3 placed in circular opening H. The front curved edges of said sectors are formed With nine teeth 18a, 19a, respectively. Said sectors are formed with upwardly extending fingers 18b and 19b adapted to contact the shoulders I39 and I3] when the sectors are swung upwardly or in a clockwise direction, looking at Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. Thus, the position of the shoulders determines the extent of angularmovement of the sectors, as after the fingers 18b and 19b contact said shoulders, the sectors cannot move 40 any more.

The shoulders |3g and I9) on the key iii are located to permit movement of the sectors 18 and 19 through angles equivalent to the angle of from one to nine teeth, or one or the other shoulders may be so positioned as to prevent any angular movement of the sectors.

The sectors 18 and 19 are adapted to actuate the pulsing switches 18c, 18d and 19c, 19d. Said switches comprise a pair of spring contacts mounted on insulating blocks on the cross bars l9. The switches are normally open, but are closed by action of the sectors on levers 88 and 8| pivoted on a transverse pin 83 supported by the plates l6 and I1. The levers 89 and 8| have 5 pawls 80a and 8|a engaging the teeth of the sectors, and said levers furthermore carry insulating buttons 89b and 8|b contacting the spring fingers 18d and 19d; As the sectors swing upwardly, the teeth oscillate the levers 80 and 8| to close the switches a number of times equal to the number of teeth which pass the pawls a and 8|a. The switches 18c, 18d and 19c, 19d control the electro-magnets M and MI, as will appear hereinafter. v

It will be noted that the pawls 88a and 8|a prevent downward swinging of the sectors until said pawls are released in the manner hereinafter appearing'. 7

Said levers 80 and 8| have downwardly extending arms 80c and Me interconnected by springs 80d and 8|d to the plates I8 and I1 to retain the pawls 89 and 8 la in engagement with the toothed peripheries of the sectors.

Means is provided to rotate the sectors upwardly into engagement with the shoulders Bo and I3! automatically, upon inserting the key into the identifier and rotating the same through an angle of 90 degrees. To this end, there is mounted on plate i8, an electric motor 85, having an output shaft 88, journalled in plate l6. Mounted on the shaft 88 is a pinion 81 connected to said shaft through a usual friction drive 88. The pinion 81 is connected through a train of gearing 89 to a pinion 99- on a shaft 9| journalled in plate I1. On shaft 9| is a fixed cam 92. The direction of rotation of the motor is such that the shaft 9| will be rotated by said motor in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 4 of the drawings,

Pivoted on plate I1 is a lever 94 having arms 94a and 94b. Arm 94a. is in contact with the cam 92. As said cam 92 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, lever 94 will be rotated in a clockwise direction, when the high part of the cam engages arm 94a of said lever. Journalled within plate I1, is a stud shaft 95. On one end of said shaft is an arm 95a engaging arm 94b of lever 94. At the other end of the shaft is a plate 952) contacting the arms 80c and 8lc of the levers 88 and 8|. Rotation of the lever 94 in a clockwise direction will rotate arm 95a in a counter-clockwise direction, to rotate the levers 88 and 8| in a counter-clockwise direction, to release pawls 89a and 8la from the teeth of the sections 18 and 19, thus also closingthe switches 18c, 19d and 19c, 1911.

On shaft 9| is a second cam 96 having a peripheral cam edge increasing in height through an angle of degrees and then decreasing in height through the other angle of 180 degrees. The high part of the cam 92 is aligned with the portion of the cam 96 which decreases in height, for the purpose hereinafter appearing,

Rotatably mounted on shaft 11 are a pair of parallel arms 91 interconnected at their outer ends by a transverse rod 98. Said rod is interconnected to the fingers 18b and 19b of the sectors 18 and 19 by coil tension springs 99.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 11, and fixed for rotation together with the arms 91, is a follower |0| carrying a roller I09 contacting the periphery of. cam 96. The arms 91 are provided 0 with fingers I02 connected by coil tension springs I93 to the fixed plates l6 and I1. I03 tend to rotate arms 91 in a counter-clockwise direction. Said arms are interconnected by a second transverse bar 99a. The sectors The springs 5 18 and 19 are formed with finger extensions 99b normally held in contact with the transverse bar 99a by the springs 99.

It will now be understood that as the motor operates the train of gearing, the cam 96 will rotate to lift the follower |9| or rotate the same in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawings, thus rotating the arms 91 and hence rotating the sectors 18 and 19 under the influence of the springs 99 until the fingers 18b and 1927 contact the shoulders on the key l3. When the shoulders are contacted, rotation of the sectors stops but the follower may continue to rotate, thus tensioning the springs 99.

As the cam 96 continues to rotate, the follower 0 begins to drop or rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, and since at that time, the levers 80 and 8| have been retracted, the sectors 18 and 19 will begin to rotate likewise in a counterclockwise direction, back to initial position.

Since the switches 18c, 18d and 19c, 19d are finger I06 is normally in contact with the spring before the sectors 18 and 19 begin to come down, the high part of the cam lifts the middle finger I06 to break the contact between said spring finger and the finger I01 and to move the finger I06 into engagement with the finger I08 which controls the printing circuit which will appear hereinafter.

Means is provided to automatically start the operation of the motor, upon inserting the key finger I01, but just and turning the key through an angle of 90 degrees. To this end, the motor 85 is controlled by the switch 64, 65 which is normally open, but which closes when the key is inserted and rotated through an angle of 90 degrees, as described hereinabove. There is also disposed within the motor circuit, a pair of normally open spring fingers H and III.

Means is provided to close said spring fingers I I0 and I II automatically upon inserting the key and turning the same through an angle of 90 degrees, and for automatically opening said switch and releasing the ratchet ring 34, after the cam 96 has been rotated through an angle of 360 degrees to permit rotation of the key back through an angle of 90 degrees, so that the key may be withdrawn. To this end, there is pivoted on a pin II on the rear surface of the plate II, a latch II6. On latch H6 is a pin II1 located beneath the arm 13 of lever 1I. Pivoted at its upper end to the latch II6, as at H9, is a link I20. Carried by the plate I1, is a plate I22 parallel thereto and having a bearing opening through which the shaft 9I passes. Pivoted to said plate I22 is a lever I23 having an arm I24, to which the lower end of the link I20 is pivoted. Interconnecting thearm I24 of lever I23 with plate I"1,'is a coil tension spring I25 which is inclined upwardly and toward the plate I1. Lever I23 also has an arm I26 provided with a downwardly extending latch finger I21 and with an insulating projection I28.

Mounted on shaft 9i is a disc I30 having a peripheral fiange I3I on one side thereof. The flange I3I is formed with a cut-away I32. The disc is furthermore formed with a socket I33 in its periphery, adjacent the cut-away portion E32 of the flange. Cut-away I32 begins near the leading end of socket I33 and extends beyond said socket. At the ends of cut-away I32 are shoulders l33a, I33b. 1

When the key is inserted into the identifier and rotated through an angle of 90 degrees, the pawl 43 on the ring 34 will contact the tip of the latch H6 and rot-ate the latter downwardly in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings, to lower the link I20 to rotate the lever I23ina clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 5 of the drawings. This action will lift the latch finger I21 from the socket I33, and the spring I25 being inclined will'tend to rock the lever I23 about a vertical axis passing through the pivot pin on which the lever I23 is mounted to bring the latch finger I21 onto the notched portion I32 of the rim of the flange I3I, adjacent shoulder I33a. As the motor rotates, the fin er I21 will ride on notched rim portion I32 until it strikes shoulder I33!) and is transferred to the periphery of the disc I30 beyond socket I33.

As the lever I23 rotates in a clockwise direction, button I28 closes the normally open spring fingers I I0 and I I I, thus closing the motor circuit and starting the operation of the motor. When the motor has rotated shaft 9| to through an angle of 360 degrees, latch finger I21 will drop into the notch or socket I33 to stop rotation of said shaft, automatically, and to open the switch IIO, III to stop the operation of the motor. The motor may continue to rotate through inertia by reason of the friction drive between the shaft 86 and the pinion 81. Furthermore, as the lever I23 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to stop the operation of the motor and the shaft 9|, rod I20 will be lifted to raise the latch I I6 and rotate the lever H in a clockwise direction about pivot 10, looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings, to release arm 12 from the ratchet teeth 39, thus permitting the key to be rotated back to its initial position through an angle of degrees, whereby the key may be withdrawn from the identifier.

Means is provided to print by means of the counter wheels associated with the counters M and MI automatically after the pulsing operation, to record an identification of the key, to automatically reset or zeroize the counter wheels after the printing operation, and to print a second time against said counter wheels upon withdrawing the key from the identifier. To this end, there is provided a. printing solenoid I40 adapted to operate a printing platen I4I, to move said platen upwardly against the counter wheels I42 and I43, paper and printing ribbon being interposed between the platen and the counter wheels in the usual manner, to cause a print on the paper. The solenoid I40 is provided with a coil I44 connected at one end to a minus power supply. The coil is connected by wire I45 to a fixed contact I46. A switch arm I4Ea connected to a plus power supply is normally spaced from the fixed contact 'I 46, but is adapted to be moved into engagement therewith by a relay I41, The coil I48 of the relay I41 is connected at one end to a plus power supply and at the other end to a switch arm I49. Switch arm I49 is normally in engagement with a fixed contact I50, and spaced from a second fixed contact I5I.

The switch arm I49 is moved out of engagement with respect to contact I50 and into engagement with contact I5I by relay I52. Said relay is adapted to move a switch arm I53 normally in engagement with a fixed contact I54 to open position when said relay is energized. Said relay, furthermore, is adapted to move switch arms I55, I56 and I51 into engagement with fixed contacts I59, I60 and I6I. Fixed contact I54 is connected by wire I54ato spring finger I06. Fixed contact I50 is connected by wire I50a with the spring finger I08. Fixed contact I5I is connected by wire I5Ia with spring finger 55. 54 is connected to a minus power supply. Spring finger 53 is connected by Wire 53a to the switch arm I51. The switch arms I55 and I56 are connected to a minus power supply.

The printing platen MI is connected to a switch arm I63 connected by said wire 53a to the switch arm I51. When the printing platen is in normal position, switch arm I63 is in engagement with a fixed contact I64 connected to a minus power supply. "When the printing solenoid I40 is Spring finger,

- fixed contact I60.

-or on the shaft therefor, is a pin or cam adapted arm I68 is connected by wire I68a, to spring finger 19d. The coi1 I61 for the relay of counter MI is connected at its other end to a switch arm I10, and through wire Ia to spring finger 18d.

The switch arm I10 i normally in engagement with a fixed contact I12, but is moved out of engagement with respect thereto upon energizing the relay for the counter MI Fixed contact I69 is connected by wire I69a to a fixed contact I14. In engagement with said fixed contact is a switch arm I connected by wire I15a to the fixed contact I59. On the counter wheel I42 or on the shaft therefor, is a projection or cam adapted to lift the switch arm I15 out of engagement with respect to the fixed contact I14 when said counter wheel is in initial position or in position to print zero. Fixed contact I12 is connected by wire I12a to a fixed contact I16. In'engagement with said contact I16 is a switch arm I 11 connected by wire I11a to On the counter wheel I43,

to lift the switch arm I11 when said counter wheel is in initial position or in position for printing zero.

Spring finger 64 is connected to a plug power supply. Spring finger 65 is connected by wire 65a to spring finger II 0. Spring finger III is relays of the counters M and MI are opened by cam I04 which moves the spring finger I08 out of engagement with the spring finger I01 and into engagement with the spring finger I08.

When the spring finger I06 moves out of engagement with the spring finger I01, the circuits for the counters are broken, but the enagement of the spring finger I06 with the spring finger I08 completes a circuit which causes a printing operation, as will now be described.

A circuit is first completed through the relay I 41, through coil I48, switch arm I49, fixed contact I50, wire I50a, spring finger I08, spring finger I06, wire I54a, fixed contact I54, and switch arm I53. Energization of relay I41 causes switch arm I410. to move into engagement with the fixed contact I46 completing the circuit through the printing solenoid I40 causing the printing platen I4I to move upwardly to print against the counter wheels I42 and I43.

After the printing operation, the circuit for the printing solenoid is automatically released, as will now be explained,

Upward movement of the platen I4I moves switch arm I63 into engagement with fixed con- I tact I 65, thus completing a circuit through minus connected by wire let to one terminal of the motor 85. The other terminal otthe motor 85 is connected to minus power supply. Spring finger I01 is connected by wire I 01a to spring finger 18c and to spring finger 19c.

The operation of the identifier will now be described:

The key is first inserted into the identifier causing spring finger 54 to move into engagement with spring finger 53 and out of engagement with respect to the spring finger 55. Upon turning the key, lever 51 drops permitting spring finger 64 to come into engagement with spring finger 65. Upon turning the key, furthermore, link I20 will be lowered causing return of the lever I23 to close the contacts of spring fingers III) and II I. This action completes the circuit for the motor 85 which begins to operate to turn the shaft 9|. As the sectors 18 and 19 come up, the switches 18c, 18d and 19c, 19d momentarily close a number of times depending upon the number of teeth passing the pawls 80a and Ma. Each time the spring fingers 18c and 18d close a circuit is completed through switch arm I53, fixed contact I54, wire I54a, spring fingers .I06, I01, wire I 01a, spring fingers 18c, 18d, wire I10a. and coil I61, to energize the relay for the counter Ml, moving the counter wheel I43 one digit. When the spring fingers 18c, 18d break contact, the counter relay is deenergized.

The same operation occurs for the counter M, upon opening and closing of the contacts 190 and 19d.

It will benoted that when th sectors 18 and 19 start coming back, the contacts 186 and 18d close, and the contacts 190 and 19d likewise close. However, before that occurs, the circuits for the power supply, switch arm 54, switch arm 53, wire 53a, switch arm I63, fixed contact I65, wire I65a, andcoil I52a, thus energizing the relay I52. Energization of the relay I52 causes the switch arm I49 to "move upwardly out of engagement with respect to the fixed contact I 50 and into engagement with the fixed contact I5I, thus breaking the circuit for the relay I41 which releases the switch arm I410. which breaks the circuit for the printing solenoid I4I which causes the platen I4I to come down. Energization of the relay I52 causes the switch arms I55, I56-and I51 to move into engagement with the fixed contacts I59, I60 and I6I, respectively. Relay I52 is held energized through the following circuit, coil I52a, fixed contact I6I, switch arm I51, wire 53a, spring fingers 53 and 54. After the switch arm I63 is in engagement with the fixed contact I 64, relay I52 is further held in energized condition through the following circuit, fixed. contact I 64, switch arm I63, wire 53a, switch arm I51, fixed contact I GI and coil I 52a.

After the printing operation, the pulsing of the relays for the electro-magnets M and MI continues until the counter wheels are zeroized, as will now be explained.

Considering first the counter M, while the relay I52 remains energized, a circuit will pass through switch arm I55, fixed contact I59, wire I15a, switch arm I15, fixed contact I14, wire I 69a, fixed contact I 69,switch arm I68 and coil I66 to energize the relay for said counter causing movement of the counter wheel I42 another digit. As soon as the relay for the counter M is energized however, switch'arm I68 moves down to break the circuit for the relay. As soon as the relay becomes deenergized,arm I68 again moves up into engagement with fixed contact I69 to again close the circuit. In this manner, the wheel moves step by step to a zero position, in which position the switch arm I15 is raised to break the circuit for the relay and the counter wheel stops moving.

The counter MI operates in the same manner to zeroize its counter wheel I43.

A second print will be obtained upon withdrawing the key. To withdraw the key, the same must first be turned to its initial angle, opening the spring fingers 64, 65. The key is then pulled out causing spring finger 54 to move out of engagement with spring finger 53 and into engagement with spring finger 55, thus breaking one holding circuit for the relay I52. However, the relay I52 is held in energized condition through the second holding circuit passing through the switch arm I63, as hereinbefore described. A circuit is now completed through the relay I41 by reason of the contact of the spring finger 54 with the spring finger 55, and switch arm M9 with fixed contact II. Energization of the relay Ml again pulls clown switch arm Ml to close the printing circuit to cause another printing operation. As the platen Ml moves up, however. the se'cond holding circuit for the relay H2 is broken to deenergize said relay.

Since the cam IM has already rotated to a position when the spring, finger N16 is out of engagement with the spring finger I08, the entire electrical system is back tenormal condition.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as, various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a key having a base part and another part, means for identifying the position of the other part of the key relative to the base part of the key, means to receive the key and position said base part of the key in a predetermined position, said key being rotatable in said key receiving means, a movable member,

means for moving said movable member from an initial position into engagement with said other part of said key after the key has been positioned within said key receiving means and rotated therein, and means to pulse a number of pulsations corresponding to the extent of movement of said movable member.

2. In combination, a key having a base part and a movable part, means for identifying the position of the variable part of the key relative to the base part of the key, means to receive the key and position said base part of the key in a predetermined position, said key being rotatable in said key receiving means, a movable member,

means for moving said movable member from an initial position into engagement with said variable part of said key after the key has been poto the base part of the key, means to receive' the key and position said base part of the key in a predetermined position, said key being rotatable in said key receiving means, a movable member, means for moving said movable member from an initial position into engagement with said variable part of said key after the key has been positioned within said key receiving means and rotated therein, means to pulse a number of pulsations corresponding to the extent of movement of said movable member, means to. return said movable member to initial position after the pulsing means have finished pulsing, and means to disconnect the pulsing means from the movable member after the pulsing operation, to permit said movable member to be returned to initial position.

4. In combination, a key having a base part and another part, means for identifying the position of the other part of the key relative to the base part of the key, means to receive the key and position said base part of the key in a predetermined position, said key being rotatable in said key receiving means, a movable member,

means for moving said movable member from an initial position into engagement with said other part of said key after the key has been positioned within said key receiving means, means to pulse a number of pulsations corresponding to the extent of movement of said movable member, said means for moving the movable member including an electric motor, and means responsive to the insertion and rotation of the key within said key receiving means to control the operation of the motor.

5. In combination, a key having a base part and another part, means for identifying the position of the other part of the key relative to the base part of the key, means to receive the key and position said base part of the key in a predetermined position, a movable member, means for moving said movable member from an initial position into engagement with said other part of said key after the key has been positioned within said key receiving means, means to pulse a number of pulsations corresponding to the extent of movement of said movable member, means to return said movable member to initial position after the pulsing means have finished pulsing, means to disconnect the pulsing means from the movable member after the pulsing operation, to permit said movable member to be returned to initial position, the means for moving the movable member comprising an electric motor, means to initiate the operation of the motor controlled by the positioning of the key within the-key receiving means, and means to automatically stop the operation of the motor after the mo able .member has returned to its initial position.

position into engagement with said other part of said key after the key has been positioned within said key receiving means, means to pulse a number of pulsations corresponding to the extent of movement of said movable member, said means for moving the movable member including an electric motor, means responsive to the positioning ofthe key within said key receiving means to control the operation of the motor, and means to deenergize the motor after said motor has run a predetermined number of revolutions.

'7. In combination, a key, means to receive said key, a shaft, a member mounted for rotation about the axis of the shaft and adapted to be rotated into engagement with a portion of said key, a second shaft, a cam on said second shaft, a follower mounted for rotation about the axis of the first shaft and connected to said member by a spring, said follower engaging said cam, means to retain said follower in engagement with said cam, and means cooperating with said member to produce a plurality of electric pulses depending upon the angle of rotation of said member.

8. In combination, a key, means to receive said key, a shaft, a member mounted for rotation about the axis of the shaft and adapted to be rotated into engagement with a portion of said key, a second shaft, a cam on said second shaft, a follower mounted for rotation about the axis of the first shaft and connected to said member by a spring, said follower engaging said cam, means to retain said follower in engagement with said cam, means cooperating with said member to produce a plurality of electric pulses depending upon the angle of rotation of said member, an electric motor, means connected with said motor for rotating said cam, and means rotatable with said cam about the axis of the second shaft, to control the operation of said motor.

9. In combination, a key, means to receive said key to be identified, a toothed member movable into engagement with a portion of said key, a switch, a member interposed between the switch and the teeth of said membenwhereby as said toothed member is moved, the interposed member will pulse said switch a number of times depending upon the extent of movement of said member and hence corresponding to the position of said portion of the key, and means to move said interposed member out of engagement with respect to said toothed member.

10. In combination, a key, means to receive said key to be identified, a toothed member movable into engagement with a portion of said key, a switch, a member interposed between the switch and the teeth of said member, whereby as said toothed member is moved, the interposed member will pulse said switch a number of times depending upon the extent of movement of said member and hence corresponding to the position of said portion of the key, means to move said interposed member out of engagement with respect to said toothed member, an electric device connected by a circuit to said switch and responsive to the pulses from said switch, said interposed member being adapted to close said switch when it is moved out of engagement with respect to the toothed member, and means for opening said circuit before said interposed member is moved out of engagement with respect to said toothed member to close said switch.

11. In combination, a key, means to receive said key, a rotatable ratchet ring contained within said key receiving means and adapted to be rotated, upon rotating said key after the keyis within said key receiving means, a pawl engaging said ratchet ring and permitting rotation of said ring in one direction, and adapted to prevent rotation of said ring in an opposite direction, until released from engagement with said ratchet ring, a pivoted latch, means on said ring to move said latch in one direction, upon rotating said'ring from initial position, means to rotate said latch in an opposite direction, means on said latch to release said pawl from engagement with said ring: upon moving said latch in said opposite direction to permit rotation of said ring back to initial position.

12. In combination, a key, means to receive said key, a rotatable ratchet ring contained within said key receiving means and adapted to be rotated, upon rotating said key after the key is within said key receiving means, a pawl engaging said ratchet ring and permitting rotation of said ring in one direction, and adapted to prevent rotation of said ring in an opposite direction, until released from engagement with said ratchet ring, a pivoted latch, means on said ring to move said latch in one direction, upon rotating said ring from initial position, means to rotate said latch in an opposite direction, means on said latch to release said pawl from engagement with said ring, upon moving said latch in said opposite direction to permit rotation of said ring back to initial position, a pulsing member movable into engagement with a key inserted into said key receiving means, an electric motor,

' means connected to said motor for moving said pulsing member, a switch controlling the operation of said motor, and means connected to said latch to control said switch.

13. In combination, a key, means to receive said key, a rotatable ratchet ring contained within said key receiving means and adapted to .be rotated, upon rotating said key after the key is within said key receiving means, a pawl engaging said ratchet ring and permitting rotation oi said ring in one direction, and adapted to prevent rotation of said ring in an opposite direction, until released from engagement with said ratchet ring, a pivoted latch, means on said ring to move said latch in one direction, upon rotating said ring from initial position, means to rotate said latch in an opposite direction, means on said latch to release said pawl from engagement with said ring, upon moving said latch in said opposite direction to permit rotation of said ring back to initial position, a pulsing member movable into engagement with a key inserted into said key receiving means, an electric motor, means connected to said motor for moving said pulsing member, a. switch controlling the operation of said motor, means connected to said latch to control said switch, a second switch'controlling the operation of said motor, and means controlled by said ratchet ring for opening and closing said second switch.

key receiving means adapted to be rotated by said key, when said key is rotated in one direction within said key receiving means, means to limit rotation of said rotatable member, means to locksaid rotatable member against rotation in an opposite direction, a pulsing member movable into engagement with said key, an electric motor, means connected to said motor for moving said pulsing member, and means for simultaneously stopping the motor and releasing said rotatable member to permit said rotatable member to be moved back to initial position.

15. In combination, a key, means to receive said key inserted thereinto, said key being adapted to be rotated after the same is inserted into said key receiving means, means on said key receiving means adapted to be rotated by said key, when said key is rotated in one direction within said key receiving means, means to limit rotation of said rotatable member, means to lock said rotatable memberagainst rotation in an opposite direction, a pulsing member movable into engagement with said key, an electric motor, means connected to said motor for moving said pulsing member, and means for simultaneously stopping the motor and releasing said rotatable member to permit said rotatable member to be moved back to initial position, the motor circuit for said motor being controlled by said rotatable member.

16. In combination, a key, means to receive said key inserted thereinto, said key being adapted to be rotated after the same is inserted into said key receiving means, means on said key receiving means adapted to be rotated by said key, when said key is rotated in one direction within said key receiving means, means to limit rotation of said rotatable member, means to lock said rotatable member against rotation in an opposite direction, a pulsing member movable into engagement with said key, an electric motor, means connected to said motor for moving said pulsing member, means for simultaneously stopping the motor and releasing said rotatable member to permit said rotatable member to be moved back to initial position, the motor circuit for said motor being controlled by said rotatable member, a pulsing circuit controlled by the pulsing member, and means controlled by movement of the motor to open the pulsing circuit.

BENJAMIN COOPER. 

